Public Law 115-70: Robert Matava Elder Abuse Prosecution Act of 2017

Establishes requirements for the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with respect to preventing, investigating, and prosecuting elder abuse crimes and enforcing elder abuse laws.

Official Summary

Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act

This bill establishes requirements for the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with respect to preventing, investigating, and prosecuting elder abuse crimes and enforcing elder abuse laws.

It amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services and Elder Justice) of the Social Security Act to specify that HHS may award adult protective services demonstration grants to state courts to improve adult guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.

Robert Matava Elder Abuse Prosecution Act of 2017

The bill amends the federal criminal code to expand prohibited telemarketing fraud to include “telemarketing or email marketing” fraud. It broadens the definition of telemarketing or email marketing.

A defendant convicted of telemarketing or email marketing fraud that targets or victimizes a person over age 55 is subject to an enhanced criminal penalty and mandatory forfeiture.

The bill also adds health care fraud to the list of fraud offenses subject to enhanced penalties.

The Government Accountability Office must report on: (1) elder justice programs and initiatives in the federal criminal justice system; and (2) the exploitation of older adults in global drug trafficking schemes and criminal enterprises, the incarceration of exploited older adults in foreign court systems, and the federal government’s intervention on behalf of incarcerated older adult victims who are U.S. citizens.